I was doing research (lovely, lovely research!) and cameacross a picture I just have to share with you.

We’ve talked about Twelfth Night several times, and amasquerade to celebrate it is included in The Aeronaut’s Heart in My Fair Regency. January6 marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and the end of the Christmasseason in general. In England, it might be commemorated with parties and aspecial cake. I am a bit late for this year’s celebration, but I offer you thefollowing to get you thinking for next year. (Fingers crossed that if you click on the picture, you can see a larger version.)

These cards were designed and published by Thomas Rowlandsonin 1811 and depict the various “characters” you might play during a TwelfthNight party. Your hostess might hand you a role to play when you arrived, orshe might have sent you the card in advance so you could come in character andin costume.

And oh, the plot possibilities!

A shy young lady aghast at being asked to play Lady Racket.A mismatched couple; say the gentleman is asked to playCaptain Dash but the lady is stuck with Lady Careless.Your rival insisting that you play Miss Gadabout.A studly fellow being assigned Lord Flutter while a bookwormis assigned Major Matchless.The grumpiest chaperone being given Mrs. Friendly!

What do you think? See one you’d like to play? Or one youwouldn’t?

Wishing you a very happy new year, with many wonderful characters to discover in books you love!